A lyre bird is a ground dwelling Australian species. The bird belongs to the genus Menura and the Menuridae family. These birds are popular for their ability to mimic.
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
Animalia
Chordata
Aves
Passeriformes
Menuridae
Menura
Menura alberti
Table Of Content
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
Animalia
Chordata
Aves
Passeriformes
Menuridae
Menura
Menura alberti
Table of Contents
Lyrebirds are easily identified due to the males’ prominent tail, which can be fanned in display during courtship.
Lyre Bird
Sub-Species
There are two species of Lyre bird:
Superb Lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae)
Albert’s Lyrebird(Menura alberti)
Physical Description
Height: A female lyrebird stretches to a length of 75-85cm. Male lyrebirds are 80-95cm long.
Weight: The average weight of a lyrebird is 975 grams.
Color: Both sexes have a similar brown body color, lighter underside and reddish neck.
Tail: They got their name because of their tail. Their tail consists of 16 modified feathers which can be fanned out in display during courtship.
Wingspan: They have a wingspan of 6 feet.
Beak: Lyrebird has a long beak, perfectly adapted for for eating small invertebrates.
Habitat
These birds are mainly seen in rainforests and sub-tropical rainforests. Superb lyrebirds are found in the national parks as well as in the non-protected bush land. They are often spotted in damp forest and woodlands.
Distribution
Lyrebirds are native to Australia are mostly seen in the rainforest areas. In Australia, the bird is mostly seen or found in rainforest areas of Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania.
Lyre Bird Image
Behavior
Lyre birds are the largest passerine birds, and have several interesting behavioral characteristics:
Lyre birds are territorial
Lyrebirds are shy in nature
These birds are magnificent mimickers
Lyrebirds have the beautiful singing voices compared to other rainforest birds
They can’t fly fast
They roosts high in the forest canopy
Diet
They prey on invertebrates, which include all types of insects such as beetles, cockroaches, flies, earwigs, centipedes, earthworms, and spiders. They also seldomly feed on amphipods, frogs, lizards, and small snakes.
Predators
Lyre birds are often attacked by feral cats, dogs, foxes, and quolls.
Flight
Lyre birds are weak fliers. They are mostly seen running but can flap up away out of danger. Their flight appears much like that of chickens.
Call
During winter months they maintain an open arena mound in dense bush where males sing and dance in courtship. Their calls resembles the playing of a flute.
Lyre Bird Nest
Migration
Lyre birds do not migrate.
Breeding Season
Lyre birds breed between April to October each year.
Breeding
They start breeding later than other passerine birds (Superb Lyrebirds starts breeding at the age 5-6 years). Male lyrebirds attract female lyrebirds by dancing and singing, and defend their territories from other male lyres. They also fan out their tail to attract the female.
The female builds an untidy nest and lays single egg. She is the only parent incubating the egg for the next 50 days until it hatches.
The chicks stay in the nest for about six weeks. The female is responsible for feeding its chicks as they are the sole incubator of the chicks.
Life Span
Lyre birds have a lifespan of 20 to 25 years. Some have lived up to 29 years.
Conservation Status
Lyre birds are enlisted as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN, and are seriously threatened by the habitat destruction.
Interesting Facts
There is much more to know about these beautiful birds:
Each lyre bird has his own song.
They were also called “Peacock wrens” and “Australian birds of paradise”.
The Lyre bird family is closely related to scrub birds.
